Madison Weather Radar
Madison Live Weather
Madison Live Weather Radar
Madison Hourly Weather Forecast
Madison 7-Day Weather Forecast
Madison Weather Overview
Madison sits at the heart of southern Wisconsin on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona, where a humid continental climate drives dramatic weather year-round. The state capital records about 34.65 inches of annual precipitation and nearly 50 inches of snow. Tracking Madison weather radar is essential for the city's 270,000 residents navigating everything from Arctic blizzards to summer tornado outbreaks across Dane County.
Winter delivers Madison's most severe conditions. The city's record low of −37°F struck on January 30, 1951, and the polar vortex of January 2019 pushed temperatures to −25°F with wind chills below −50°F — colder than Antarctica for two days. Blizzards regularly paralyze the metro: the Easter Snowstorm of April 2006 buried Madison under 15 inches in a single day, closing the Beltline Highway. Madison weather radar tracks exactly where storm systems are positioned, while WFO MKX issues official watches and warnings for the region.
Severe thunderstorms strike Madison from April through September, with Dane County averaging one to two tornadoes per year. The July 20, 2011 outbreak produced an EF3 tornado near Stoughton — just 9 miles south of downtown — with 140 mph winds that destroyed dozens of homes. Flash flooding is also a serious risk; a slow-moving storm in August 2018 dropped 8.5 inches on Dane County in 24 hours, inundating roads throughout the city. Madison weather radar lets you monitor all these threats in real-time and plan safe routes across the isthmus.
Madison Weather Risks & Safety
Blizzard & Heavy Snow Risk
Madison gets hit by blizzards when Arctic air combines with moisture — 12+ inches of snow, 35+ mph winds, near-zero visibility. On the radar you can watch the storm bands approach and figure out exactly when the worst will arrive. That timing matters: get your errands done before the bands reach you, and be ready for power outages and road closures that can last days.
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Madison regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Madison, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
Extreme Cold & Wind Chill Risk
When Arctic air drops into Madison, temperatures plunge well below zero and wind chill values become dangerous — frostbite can set in within minutes of exposed skin. On the radar, watch for the approaching cold front and any precipitation behind it that could freeze on contact. Before it hits: insulate your pipes, stock up on heating fuel, and plan to stay indoors. Wind chill advisories in Madison mean business.
Tornado Risk
Tornadoes hit Madison hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Madison averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Madison's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
How to Use Madison Weather Radar
Open Madison weather radar on any device — no login required. The live Doppler map loads automatically centered on Madison, Wisconsin and Dane County.
Use the timeline slider to play animated radar loops showing storm movement over Lake Mendota, the Beltline Highway corridor, and surrounding Dane County communities.
Switch between radar layers — precipitation intensity, storm motion, or wind speed — to determine whether approaching systems bring blizzard snow, heavy rain, or severe thunderstorm threats.
Check back before travel on I-90/94, US-51, or local Dane County roads when winter storm watches or severe thunderstorm warnings are active across southern Wisconsin.
Who Benefits from Madison Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Madison commuters on the Beltline (US 12/18) and East Washington Avenue check Madison weather radar to avoid whiteout blizzards, ice storms, and flash floods.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Runners at Warner Park, cyclists on the Military Ridge Trail, and hikers near Devil's Lake State Park use the radar to dodge dangerous afternoon thunderstorms.
Event Planners & Families
Tailgaters at Camp Randall Stadium and crowds at Breese Stevens Field need real-time Madison weather radar during Wisconsin's volatile spring and fall severe weather season.
Outdoor Workers
Construction crews, utility workers, and agricultural operators across Dane County rely on Madison weather radar to time work around blizzards, severe thunderstorms, and dangerous Arctic wind events.